Painting Reviews: Allegory With Venus And Cupid (Bronzino)

 

1545, Oil On Wood, By: Agnolo Bronzino (1503 - 1572), Italian painter, mannerist

London, The National Gallery

Description

This is a very complex painting, there are two scenes divided by a blue cloth held up by an elderly man, looking at his face, it seems that he is arguing with the female figure on the right, there is a strong determination to divide the two worlds.

On the left, there is a putto who prepares to shower Venus and Cupid with rose petals.

Venus is completed naked, 

On her head she wears a crown, with her hand holding an arrow, the symbol of falling in love, and a golden apple.

Behind Cupid, there is a disperate man, he is bearded and depicted as a bold figure, according to the critics, he represents the time.

"Time is fleeting, and you never known when it may be all over."

The jealously is represented by the old woman on the left.

Then there is a putto with a female face and the serpentine tail may represent the pleasure.

On the ground there are two kissing doves and two theatre masks.